Point-of-Care Diagnostics: Molecularly Imprinted Polymers and Nanomaterials for Enhanced Biosensor Selectivity and Transduction

Abstract

Significant healthcare disparities resulting from personal wealth, circumstances of birth, education level, and more are internationally prevalent. As such, advances in biomedical science overwhelmingly benefit a minority of the global population. Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) can contribute to societal equilibrium by making medical diagnostics affordable, convenient, and fast. Unfortunately, conventional POCT appears stagnant in terms of achieving significant advances. This is attributed to the high cost and instability associated with conventional biorecognition: primarily antibodies, but nucleic acids, cells, enzymes, and aptamers have also been used. Instead, state-of-the-art biosensor researchers are increasingly leveraging molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for their high selectivity, excellent stability, and amenability to a variety of physical and chemical manipulations. Besides the elimination of conventional bioreceptors, the incorporation of nanomaterials has further improved the sensitivity of biosensors. Herein, modern nanobiosensors employing MIPs for selectivity and nanomaterials for improved transduction are systematically reviewed. First, a brief synopsis of fabrication and wide-spread challenges with selectivity demonstration are presented. Afterward, the discussion turns to an analysis of relevant case studies published in the last five years. The analysis is given through two lenses: MIP-based biosensors employing specific nanomaterials and those adopting particular transduction strategies. Finally, conclusions are presented along with a look to the future through recommendations for advancing the field. It is hoped that this work will accelerate successful efforts in the field, orient new researchers, and contribute to equitable health care for all.

Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Farm Animal Diseases: From Biosensors to Integrated Lab-on-Chip Devices

“…In the same context, photothermal and photoacoustic methodologies exploiting the properties of plasmonic nanoparticles have been applied in LFA testing [ 197 ]. Molecularly imprinted polymers, carbon-allotrope-based nanomaterials, nanocages, nanoshells, and nanowires, nanostructured films and hydrogels, dendrimers, hyperbranched polymeric nanoparticles, and covalent organic frameworks are some of the novel materials that are used in biosensing, offering new opportunities for analyte detection [ 198 , 199 ].…”

Review on Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (MIP) for Electrochemical Sensor Development

“…Initiator which is an activation element is added to the complex mixture to help triggering the polymerization process (Adumitrăchioaie et al, 2018;Tio et al, 2018). Finally, extraction of the template molecules is done by thoroughly washing the matrix using mild acid, leaving permanent cavities inside the matrix complementary to the size, shape, and molecular interaction of the template (Cheong, Yang and Ali, 2013;Zaidi, 2016;Denmark, Mohapatra and Mohapatra, 2020). The cavities having the complementary shape, size, and surface chemistry to the template will allow it to have high affinity and selectivity towards the target template molecule (Denmark, Mohapatra and Mohapatra, 2020).…”

Molecularly imprinted materials for biomedical sensing

“…Consequently, synthetic receptor/molecular recognition materials such as MIPs are a promising alternative to overcome or minimize some of these limitations (Denmark et al, 2020; Qi et al, 2019). Using molecular imprinting strategies, selectivity for a specific target species is entailed into an inorganic material, which may then be added to biodiagnostic and biomedical devices instead of natural receptor motifs, as discussed in the remainder of this review.…”

“…Most diagnostic tests rely on the use of sophisticated biological receptors, such as antibodies, enzymes, DNA, serving as biochemical or chemical recognition elements. Due to their nature, these reagents may be subject to poor stability, limited availability and/or reproducibility during manufacturing/processing and contaminations affecting the analysis (Kilic et al, 2020).Consequently, synthetic receptor/molecular recognition materials such as MIPs are a promising alternative to overcome or minimize some of these limitations (Denmark et al, 2020;Qi et al, 2019).Using molecular imprinting strategies, selectivity for a specific target species is entailed into an inorganic material, which may then be added to biodiagnostic and biomedical devices instead of natural receptor motifs, as discussed in the remainder of this review.…”

“…Consequently, synthetic receptor/molecular recognition materials such as MIPs are a promising alternative to overcome or minimize some of these limitations (Denmark et al, 2020;Qi et al, 2019).…”